Today's Dust Activity

Saharan dust transport across the Atlantic basin to the western hemisphere has intrigued researchers for decades. Its large-scale coverage implies far-flung radiative impacts while dust deposition can influence the biogeochemistry of both ocean and land. Dust is often present over the entire southeastern United States during the summer. Miami has a long history of dust research begun under Dr. Joseph Prospero, including dust filter sampling (see 10.1175/BAMS-D-18-0083.1 for a recent update), micropulse lidar measurements that include polarization, the sun photometers that are part of the Aerosol Robotic Network (Key Biscayne1Key Biscayne2), and more detailed characterization of aerosol composition by Dr. Cassandra Gaston. See below for today’s GEOS-5 dust forecast and lidar imagery, with cloud condensation nuclei concentration information temporarily unavailable. These complement today's clouds and precipitation.

Today's North Atlantic GEOS-5 Dust Forecast
geos-chem dust

(Click map to enlarge)

Centered on Miami
geos-chem dust

(Click map to enlarge)

Today's Micropulse Lidar Image


CAROb was originally funded through an NSF Major Research Instrumentation Grant.
Contact Paquita Zuidema pzuidema@miami.edu if you have any questions.

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